Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-07-21

At last the armistice was concluded
and peace proclaimed. The landwchr-
men looked at each other with joyful
eyes and clasped their hands in silent
token of better days. AT the first town
they reached the whole battalion was
bundled into train which steamed off
in the direction Of Fatherland Thoy
had no sooner passed the frontier than
the soldiers were received at every sta
tion with endless cheering, and music
and flowers
The Pole who had been called out to
fight, he knew not why, was especially
at loss to explain why, having
fought, he was brought home amid
such outbursts Of popular favor He
looked as silly as the dog at his fcet
perhaps n little more so, for the dog
SC emed to have an inkling that he was
surrounded by enemies, while the
"Polakn had grown to be indifferent.
Once only the dog rose from the dark
corner in which he crouched sulkily.
II was at station in the north of Ger
many. A convoy of French prisoners
arrived just as the landswehrmcn's
train entered the place. The brave
hound rushed TO the window and
barked and howled at the cheers and
songs which rose from the dense throng
of men with blue co It's aud red trous-
ors, rs they filed of into captivity,
closely guarded by the Pru-'ian senti-
nels.
At Posen, the landwehrmen were dis
banded and sent home to their VIII
lagos. Volnizki set out with his bag
at his side, a stick in his hand. and fol-
lowed by his dog. He left the high
road and took short cut across the
country. For two days he travelled
through an undulating region. inter-
sected by pretty streams and fertile
hills; the lark sang merrilY above, and
the plowman drove his furrow through
the hardened glebe. On every side
sproutcd fair and green the promise of
germs which had been sown in the
winter season.
The Polak's heart beat high when he
caught sight of the church spire which
rose above his native place. Already
those he met by the way greeted him
with the usual salItation, Jesus
Christ be praisedr' As soon as he
reached the moss-grown cross Just out
side his village, he knelt before it and
uttered short. heartfelt prayer He
thanked his Saviour, not for any victO-
ry or any glory, but for allowing him
to get back through all his trials with
out loss Of health or limbs.
He hurried forward and began to
sing for the first time since he had left
his wife and children.
Not far of could be seen the little
cottage with its roof of matched straw
blackened by the smoke of the chim-
ney, and its grancry, werein the stork
nestled.
Soon. from the other side Of hedge,
he was greeted by his young wife, and
two young children came running to-
wards him. He took his son up in his
arms and kissed him; he bent over his
daughter and stroked her forehead
with his hand. and then he gazed low
ingly on his young wife.
She merely said: How good it is to
see you back here!'
He entered the large room Of his cot
tage, followed by the children and the
dog.
"Whose beast have you got there?"
asked the young woman.
II brought him back with me from
France" ," he replied.
w.
The dog went about the place with
gaping mouth and inquisitive nose.
He scented every thing; the floor,
benches and wall; the large deal table,
the fagots under the stove the wife's
sheep-skin and the linen on the line.
He finally stretched himself in the
middle of the room, put his nozzle be-
tween his forelcgs, and sighed deeply
as II to say: 1--WE have reached home
at last, and have found another coun-
try which l may look upon rs my
own The children drew near TO play
with him. The young wife brought
him something 10 cat. He listened At
tentively to the foreign words that
were spoken, as il to catch their mean
ing or discover what was required of
him; but the task being futile one,
whenever hand sought to touch him
he growled aud showed his teeth
He soon got TO be looked upon rs a
headstrong, wicked brute.
"Neyer mind" said the young
woman, "he'll keep the thieves and
providers at a distance and prove
good Watchdog.
Volnizki assented to his wife's sug-
gestion.
So chain was put round the dogs
neck, who was by no means surprised
at the ordeal, for he had been used to
the thing from puppyhood.
Every evening rs soon as the stars
came out bright in the day. the young
housewife let the dog loose In the yard
Thereupon, the faithful beast would
shake himself sniff the air with APP
parent pleasure and commence his
round Of inspection.
On one occasion, however the dog
was missed. But he did not 90 far,
since he came back the next day, and
was found quietly Installed in his ken
mel, as If he had never left il.
"
One Sabbath afternoon, after YES.
pers, an old man entered the peasants
courtyard. lie was over eighty years
of age. His siiG bearing, bronzcd
complexion and manly aspect ot once
revealed the military veteraa. An
open countenance set on TO advantage
the spare, silyery locks; two light blue